• Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskaer cuts a forlorn figure during the 6-1 thrashing at home to Spurs. Reuters
    Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskaer cuts a forlorn figure during the 6-1 thrashing at home to Spurs. Reuters
  • Son Heung-min celebrates scoring Tottenham's fourth goal. Reuters
    Son Heung-min celebrates scoring Tottenham's fourth goal. Reuters
  • Manchester United captain Harry Maguire. Getty
    Manchester United captain Harry Maguire. Getty
  • Spurs defender Davinson Sanchez fouls Anthony Martial and gives away a second-minute penalty at Old Trafford. Reuters
    Spurs defender Davinson Sanchez fouls Anthony Martial and gives away a second-minute penalty at Old Trafford. Reuters
  • Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes scores from the spot. PA
    Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes scores from the spot. PA
  • United's Bruno Fernandes celebrates his goal. AP
    United's Bruno Fernandes celebrates his goal. AP
  • Spurs' Harry Kane battles for possession with Paul Pogba of United. Reuters
    Spurs' Harry Kane battles for possession with Paul Pogba of United. Reuters
  • Referee Anthony Taylor shows a red card to United's Anthony Martial, third from right. AP
    Referee Anthony Taylor shows a red card to United's Anthony Martial, third from right. AP
  • United's Marcus Rashford is tackled by Serge Aurier of Spurs. PA
    United's Marcus Rashford is tackled by Serge Aurier of Spurs. PA
  • Tottenham's Son Heung-min, center, scores his side's second goal. AP
    Tottenham's Son Heung-min, center, scores his side's second goal. AP
  • Spurs striker Harry Kane celebrates scoring his team's third goal. AFP
    Spurs striker Harry Kane celebrates scoring his team's third goal. AFP
  • Spurs defender Serge Aurier makes it 5-1. AFP
    Spurs defender Serge Aurier makes it 5-1. AFP
  • Spurs manager Jose Mourinho, left, and his United counterpart Ole Gunnar Solskaer. Reuters
    Spurs manager Jose Mourinho, left, and his United counterpart Ole Gunnar Solskaer. Reuters
  • Serge Aurier celebrates scoring Spurs' fifth goal. AFP
    Serge Aurier celebrates scoring Spurs' fifth goal. AFP
  • Son Heung-min goes down after being fouled by United defender Eric Bailly. Getty
    Son Heung-min goes down after being fouled by United defender Eric Bailly. Getty
  • United's Paul Pogba after giving away the penalty that led to Spurs sixth goal. PA
    United's Paul Pogba after giving away the penalty that led to Spurs sixth goal. PA
  • Harry Kane makes it 6-1 to Spurs from the penalty spot. Reuters
    Harry Kane makes it 6-1 to Spurs from the penalty spot. Reuters
  • Harry Kane celebrates scoring Spurs' sixth goal. Reuters
    Harry Kane celebrates scoring Spurs' sixth goal. Reuters
  • United's Donny van de Beek under pressure from Moussa Sissoko, right, and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, left. Reuters
    United's Donny van de Beek under pressure from Moussa Sissoko, right, and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, left. Reuters

'It's a dream of mine': Manchester United's Paul Pogba hopes to play for Real Madrid


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Manchester United and France midfielder Paul Pogba said he would 'love' to play for Real Madrid one day but for now his focus is on helping his club side improve on their poor start to the Premier League season.

Pogba, 27, admitted in 2019 that he wanted to leave United but no major offers came in for him and he spent most of last season sidelined with injuries.

"Many things have been said. Of course, every footballer would love to play for Real Madrid and would dream about that. It's a dream of mine, so why not one day?" Pogba said at France's training camp, the day after their 7-1 friendly win over Ukraine.

"But I'm at Manchester United and I love my club. I play for Manchester United, I want to perform well for them and do everything to get them back to where they deserve to be."

Pogba has performed poorly since returning to training after testing positive for coronavirus and he gave away a penalty in his side's humiliating 6-1 home defeat by Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

The defeat, United's joint-worst in the Premier League, increased the gloom for the 20-times English champions after they lost their opening game 3-1 at home to Crystal Palace before scraping a 3-2 win at Brighton & Hove Albion.

"Every player goes through difficult periods but you have to be strong mentally and we all need to try and get the team back to where it belongs," Pogba said.

"It belongs at the top, fighting for trophies, that's the club's ambition. We know it's not easy, but that remains our objective. We are fighting for that."

Pogba, who joined United from Juventus in 2016 for a then world-record fee of £89 million pounds ($115 million) is out of contract with the English club next June.

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Manchester United v Tottenham ratings

  • MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David de Gea - 5: Screaming as his defence failed him in a frantic opening. What could any goalkeeper do in similar circumstances? Reuters
    MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David de Gea - 5: Screaming as his defence failed him in a frantic opening. What could any goalkeeper do in similar circumstances? Reuters
  • Aaron Wan-Bissak - 3: Weak going forward once again. Started last season well; started this one dreadfully. AFP
    Aaron Wan-Bissak - 3: Weak going forward once again. Started last season well; started this one dreadfully. AFP
  • Eric Bailly - 1: Recalled for first league start of season. Was poor for Spurs' first goal and didn’t anticipate the run of Son for the second. It got even worse – his pass for Matic in the D with players around him led to another goal. Reuters
    Eric Bailly - 1: Recalled for first league start of season. Was poor for Spurs' first goal and didn’t anticipate the run of Son for the second. It got even worse – his pass for Matic in the D with players around him led to another goal. Reuters
  • Harry Maguire - 2: Terrible powerless header to nowhere which led to Spurs equaliser. Equally awful for second goal quickly after. Frequently out of position. Deflected the ball through his own legs for Spurs’ fourth. Reuters
    Harry Maguire - 2: Terrible powerless header to nowhere which led to Spurs equaliser. Equally awful for second goal quickly after. Frequently out of position. Deflected the ball through his own legs for Spurs’ fourth. Reuters
  • Luke Shaw - 2: Vulnerable for Spurs’ opener and struggled to defend - tackled his own goalkeeper at one point. Yellow carded after Lucas Moura got away from him after 84 minutes. Woeful in attack, in positioning and in defence. Reuters
    Luke Shaw - 2: Vulnerable for Spurs’ opener and struggled to defend - tackled his own goalkeeper at one point. Yellow carded after Lucas Moura got away from him after 84 minutes. Woeful in attack, in positioning and in defence. Reuters
  • Nemanja Matic - 3: Like trying to stop the flow of the Amazon with a match. Didn’t control pass from Bailly for Spurs’ third. Usually well organised, not today against superb Spurs. Reuters
    Nemanja Matic - 3: Like trying to stop the flow of the Amazon with a match. Didn’t control pass from Bailly for Spurs’ third. Usually well organised, not today against superb Spurs. Reuters
  • Paul Pogba - 2: Lost too many 50/50s and completely outplayed by Ndombele and Hojbjerg in the middle. Gave away a penalty for the sixth. Pogba should be a stand out, but he’s been wholly inadequate so far this season. Reuters
    Paul Pogba - 2: Lost too many 50/50s and completely outplayed by Ndombele and Hojbjerg in the middle. Gave away a penalty for the sixth. Pogba should be a stand out, but he’s been wholly inadequate so far this season. Reuters
  • Bruno Fernandes - 3: Super pass to Martial that led to a United penalty on 29 seconds. Stroked ball into bottom right corner. And then it all went wrong. Sloppy in possession and taken off at half time. AFP
    Bruno Fernandes - 3: Super pass to Martial that led to a United penalty on 29 seconds. Stroked ball into bottom right corner. And then it all went wrong. Sloppy in possession and taken off at half time. AFP
  • Mason Greenwood - 4: Turned and shot from outside area after 23 minutes – and that was about it. Hardly affected the game and another reason why United need to strengthen in attack. AFP
    Mason Greenwood - 4: Turned and shot from outside area after 23 minutes – and that was about it. Hardly affected the game and another reason why United need to strengthen in attack. AFP
  • Marcus Rashford - 4: Another who had a good opening minute as he drove forward towards Aurier from the start. Also closed Hugo Lloris down frequently but was too peripheral as Tottenham completely bossed the game. AFP
    Marcus Rashford - 4: Another who had a good opening minute as he drove forward towards Aurier from the start. Also closed Hugo Lloris down frequently but was too peripheral as Tottenham completely bossed the game. AFP
  • Anthony Martial - 3: Sent off after 29 minutes after he stupidly tapped the lamentable Lamela. His red card ruined the game – though United were a shambles before. High point was winning a penalty in an encouraging opening minute. AFP
    Anthony Martial - 3: Sent off after 29 minutes after he stupidly tapped the lamentable Lamela. His red card ruined the game – though United were a shambles before. High point was winning a penalty in an encouraging opening minute. AFP
  • SUBS: Fred (on for Matic) - 4: Gave ball away too much – like the rest. Frustrated and struck a ball wide after an hour towards an advertising hoarding rather than his own player. Reuters
    SUBS: Fred (on for Matic) - 4: Gave ball away too much – like the rest. Frustrated and struck a ball wide after an hour towards an advertising hoarding rather than his own player. Reuters
  • Scott McTominay (on for Fernandes) - 5: Put a midfield shift in difficult circumstances, but still gave ball away too much. Limited. AFP
    Scott McTominay (on for Fernandes) - 5: Put a midfield shift in difficult circumstances, but still gave ball away too much. Limited. AFP
  • Donny van de Beek (on for Greenwood) - 5: His agent wasn’t happy that he was a sub, but the player himself must wonder what he’s just walked into after being the only signing so far. Reuters
    Donny van de Beek (on for Greenwood) - 5: His agent wasn’t happy that he was a sub, but the player himself must wonder what he’s just walked into after being the only signing so far. Reuters
  • TOTTENHAM RATINGS: Hugo Lloris - 6: Faced a penalty in the first minute, which United scored. Hardly saw the ball after that. AFP
    TOTTENHAM RATINGS: Hugo Lloris - 6: Faced a penalty in the first minute, which United scored. Hardly saw the ball after that. AFP
  • Serge Aurier - 10: The Ivorian defender Spurs' best attacker. Supplied Son for his second goal and them rammed home the visitors' fifth to cap a superb performance. Reuters
    Serge Aurier - 10: The Ivorian defender Spurs' best attacker. Supplied Son for his second goal and them rammed home the visitors' fifth to cap a superb performance. Reuters
  • Davinson Sanchez - 7: Gave away a soft penalty after 29 seconds. Recovered well after that early setback and didn't give United's strikers a kick thereafter. Reuters
    Davinson Sanchez - 7: Gave away a soft penalty after 29 seconds. Recovered well after that early setback and didn't give United's strikers a kick thereafter. Reuters
  • Eric Dier - 7: Showed once again why his manager holds him in such high regard. Didn't put a foot wrong all game. Reuters
    Eric Dier - 7: Showed once again why his manager holds him in such high regard. Didn't put a foot wrong all game. Reuters
  • Sergio Reguilon - 7: The Spanish left-back showed what a threat he is when let off the leash. Reuters
    Sergio Reguilon - 7: The Spanish left-back showed what a threat he is when let off the leash. Reuters
  • Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg - 8: The Dane destroyed United's midfield with his physicality. Reuters
    Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg - 8: The Dane destroyed United's midfield with his physicality. Reuters
  • Tanguy Ndombele - 8: Equalised with a poacher's goal and was a colossus at both ends throughout. Without doubt the Frenchman's best performance in a Tottenham shirt. AFP
    Tanguy Ndombele - 8: Equalised with a poacher's goal and was a colossus at both ends throughout. Without doubt the Frenchman's best performance in a Tottenham shirt. AFP
  • Moussa Sissoko - 7: Dominated his opposite number Pogba. Nothing flashy but he didn't need to be with Ndombele running the show next to him. Reuters
    Moussa Sissoko - 7: Dominated his opposite number Pogba. Nothing flashy but he didn't need to be with Ndombele running the show next to him. Reuters
  • Son Heung-min - 9: Scared witless with his pace. Two clinical finishes and could have become the first top-flight player to score a hat-trick at Old Trafford since Dennis Bailey in 1992 but a rare poor first touch when through on goal let him down. He is simply unplayable in this sort of form. AFP
    Son Heung-min - 9: Scared witless with his pace. Two clinical finishes and could have become the first top-flight player to score a hat-trick at Old Trafford since Dennis Bailey in 1992 but a rare poor first touch when through on goal let him down. He is simply unplayable in this sort of form. AFP
  • Erik Lamela - 6: Won't be proud of his involvement in the incident that led to Anthony Martial's sending off. The theatrics undermined what was an excellent performance by the Argentine. Hooked at half time. AFP
    Erik Lamela - 6: Won't be proud of his involvement in the incident that led to Anthony Martial's sending off. The theatrics undermined what was an excellent performance by the Argentine. Hooked at half time. AFP
  • Harry Kane - 9: While managers squabble over his workload, the Tottenham striker just goes about his business. It was his quick-thinking that set Son on his way to put Spurs ahead and helped himself to another couple of goals for good measure. United fans will lament that they are reduced to talks to sign a 33-year-old Edinson Cavani instead of a prime Harry Kane. Reuters
    Harry Kane - 9: While managers squabble over his workload, the Tottenham striker just goes about his business. It was his quick-thinking that set Son on his way to put Spurs ahead and helped himself to another couple of goals for good measure. United fans will lament that they are reduced to talks to sign a 33-year-old Edinson Cavani instead of a prime Harry Kane. Reuters
  • SUBS: Lucas Moura (on for Lamela) - 6: The Brazilian was lucky to avoid serious injury after Luke Shaw hacked him down as he raced clear. EPA
    SUBS: Lucas Moura (on for Lamela) - 6: The Brazilian was lucky to avoid serious injury after Luke Shaw hacked him down as he raced clear. EPA
  • Dele Alli (on for Ndombele) - 5: United had thrown in the towel long before Alli was introduced on 69 minutes. Reuters
    Dele Alli (on for Ndombele) - 5: United had thrown in the towel long before Alli was introduced on 69 minutes. Reuters
  • Ben Davies (on for Son) - 7: A rare foray forward saw the Welsh defender win a penalty at Pogba's expense for Spurs' sixth. Reuters
    Ben Davies (on for Son) - 7: A rare foray forward saw the Welsh defender win a penalty at Pogba's expense for Spurs' sixth. Reuters